Pamela Wev, a land use consultant, defeated Peter Roscoe, founder of Fulio’s Pastaria, in the race for county commission District 3.

Wev will become the second newcomer next year on the five-member board, replacing Commissioner Lisa Clement. Former Warrenton Mayor Mark Kujala won District 1 in the May primary and will replace Commissioner Scott Lee, the board’s chairman.

Wev edged Roscoe 52.7 percent to 47 percent.

During the May primary that also featured Doug Thompson, a property manager, Wev picked up the most votes. She earned less than the majority, however, leading to the first runoff for a commission seat in 10 years.

“I am humbled that the people of the third district have placed their trust in me to represent them,” Wev said in a statement. “My thanks to Peter Roscoe for his campaign. I will represent all people of the district and I look forward to speaking with Peter on the issues that resonated with those who supported him.”

Roscoe conceded early that Wev was likely going to win.

“What can I say?” Roscoe said. “She won and I didn’t. That’s my reaction.”

For nearly two years, the board — like Wev and Roscoe — has been split on the role of commissioners versus the county manager in terms of staff oversight, leading to several public and private clashes. Wev’s election gives a new majority to those who believe commissioners have not been given enough opportunity to monitor staff more closely. The new commission will also lead the search for a new manager after County Manager Cameron Moore’s retirement early next year.

“(Residents) told me during the campaign that they want to see a commission focused on collaboration, connectedness and civility, and I will keep those goals in mind as I conduct myself as their commissioner,” Wev said.

Wev hopes infighting will no longer be a factor on the commission, she said.

“The dynamics of every group changes depending on who’s there,” she said. “I think that remains to be seen.”

While not disagreeing with each other, the most clear issue-based difference in the campaign came during a debate discussion on forestry. Roscoe said timber companies are more environmentally conscious than people think, while Wev focused much of her answer on the need for supervision of the industry.

But experience, rather than specific issues, was the dividing line in the campaign.

Roscoe, a former Astoria city councilor who has served on several local boards, touted his lengthy local background. Wev, who served in former Portland Mayor Vera Katz’s administration, stressed her range of government involvement.

“One of the things I heard a lot on the trail, as they call it, is that people like new ideas,” Wev said. “I’ve heard people say a lot that they like my resume and experience outside of Clatsop County.”

Roscoe, who identifies as a moderate Democrat, said he was hopeful that unaffiliated voters would push him to a win over Wev, the vice chair of the Clatsop County Democratic Central Committee.

“I felt my only real chance was for unaffiliated voters to turn out in numbers,” Roscoe said.